Steenbras Dam

The Steenbras Dam is referred to as the Steenbras Lower Dam. It is a gravity concrete arch-type dam on the Steenbras River in the Hottentots-Holland. It is one of the six large dams on the river. The dam wall is 28 metres high and 412 metres long. It impounds a reservoir of 36,133 megalitres. The surface area of the dam is 380 hectares when it is full.

The Steenbras Dam scheme was conceived by a group of engineers in 1916. The scheme planned to connect the dam to the Molteno reservoir via a 64 km tunnel through the Hottentots Holland. Work began in 1918 and was completed in 3 years. Water demand rapidly outstripped supply and the dam wall was raised twice and another pipeline was laid in 1928. The last time it was raised was in 1954, to 36 metres. This increased the area to 380 ha.

At the base of the wall are rock gardens and pathways that support a wealth of birdlife.

Steenbras Upper Dam was constructed someway upstream in 1977. This dam is used for the Steenbras pumped-storage hydroelectricity scheme. This scheme supplements Cape Town’s electricity supply during periods of peak demand.

34°11′12.61″S 18°51′9.11″E